Chapter 2: The Noble Family’s Outrage

A heavy silence filled the grand summoning hall, suffocating in its intensity.

Hundreds of nobles, from young heirs to seasoned lords, sat frozen in their seats. Their faces were twisted with emotions—shock, confusion, and above all, fear.

The summoning ceremony had been a sacred tradition in the Kingdom of Eldoria for centuries. Every noble child would summon one creature, a beast or monster, as their lifelong companion. The power of their summon dictated their status and worth.

And yet, Lucian had done the impossible.

He had summoned three.

Not one, like every other summoner. Not two, which would have already shaken the very foundation of summoning magic.

Three.

And worse—not a single one was a beast.

Instead, they were beautiful women.

No—they were fairiy

Lucian felt the weight of every gaze on him, pressing down like an iron shackle. The nobles stared in disbelief, their murmurs growing louder by the second.

"This must be a mistake!" one of the elder nobles spat, his voice trembling.

"No one has ever summoned three creatures at once!" another added, his hands clenching into fists.

"And these aren't even real summons! They are… they are human-shaped!"

Lucian clenched his fists. He could feel his father's gaze drilling into him from above.

Duke Reynard von Ashford, the ruler of the Ashford family, sat high in the spectator's balcony, his expression unreadable. His cold, calculating eyes never wavered, never betrayed a flicker of emotion.

Lucian had seen that face before—the expression his father wore when deciding whether something was useful or disposable.

"Lucian von Ashford," his father finally spoke. His voice was like a blade, sharp and merciless. "Explain yourself."

Lucian opened his mouth… but no words came out.

Because he had no explanation.

He had expected failure. He had prepared himself for the mockery and shame that would come when he failed to summon anything.

Instead, he had called forth three fairies—an event that should have been impossible in this world.

Lucian turned to look at the three figures standing before him.

The first, Sylphira, had long silver hair that cascaded down her back, her violet eyes glowing with a mysterious, ethereal light. A faint, almost amused smile played on her lips as she placed a delicate hand over her chest.

"[It is an honor to stand before you, Duke Ashford,]" she spoke, her voice as smooth as silk. "[I am Sylphira, a High Fairy of the Enchanted Realm.]"

The second, Lys, had golden hair braided elegantly, her emerald-green eyes shimmering with mischief. She flicked her golden butterfly-like wings, chuckling lightly. "[Oh my~ Such tense faces~ You may call me Lys, dear nobles~]"

The third, Nyx, had dark blue hair flowing like a river of midnight, her blood-red lips curving into a smirk. She crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. "[Nyx. That is all you need to know.]"

Their introductions only made the tension in the room worse.

Gasps. Shocked murmurs.

"High Fairy?" someone whispered.

"Fairies do not exist in this world!"

"Summons are supposed to be beasts, creatures of war! Not… women!"

The murmurs turned into outrage.

"This is blasphemy!" one noble elder roared, standing up. His face was red with anger, his veins bulging in his neck. "The Summoning Circle must have malfunctioned!"

Another noble spat on the ground. "A noble of the Ashford family summoning women? This is an insult to our bloodline!"

"This… this thing should be executed!"

Lys, the golden-haired fairy, laughed.

A light, playful, yet dangerously amused laugh.

"Oh my~" She touched her lips, her eyes twinkling. "Did this wrinkly old man just compare us to common women?"

Nyx, the dark-haired fairy, smirked, running a hand along her collarbone. "How bold."

Sylphira, the silver-haired fairy, simply gazed at them, her violet eyes turning cold.

"How… ignorant."

A sudden pressure flooded the hall.

It wasn't mana. It wasn't killing intent.

It was something far worse.

For a brief moment, every noble in the hall felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority.

Their bodies stiffened. Their thoughts grew sluggish. Their souls quivered.

Lucian felt it the strongest.

For a single instant, it felt as if these fairies were not just summoned creatures—but beings far beyond human understanding.

And then, just as quickly, the pressure disappeared.

The nobles gasped for breath, their bodies trembling.

"What… was that?"

"A mere illusion?"

"A trick?!"

Lucian wasn't so sure.

He glanced at the fairies.

They were smiling at him.

Not with worry. Not with doubt.

But with amusement.

Like they had been waiting for him all along.

"Enough!"

Duke Reynard's voice boomed through the hall, silencing everyone instantly.

Lucian turned back to his father, his heartbeat quickening.

Reynard's expression was like carved stone—cold, unreadable.

"You have broken the very logic of summoning," the Duke said, his tone eerily calm. "Three summons at once is unheard of. And worse, their origins are unknown."

Lucian's stomach tightened.

He knew what was coming next.

"Therefore," Reynard continued, "your summons must be tested."

Gasps echoed in the hall.

Lucian clenched his fists.

"You will prove their strength before the family," Reynard declared. "If they are truly worthy, you may remain an Ashford."

He paused, then added coldly,

"But if they are weak—your status will be revoked. You will be cast out."

A challenge.

A final test.

Lucian exhaled slowly.

'A test, huh?'

This was exactly what his father wanted. A chance for the nobles to see him fail. A chance to get rid of him forever.

If his summons were weak, he would be exiled immediately.

Lucian turned to the fairies.

They looked back at him.

Not with concern. Not with fear.

But with amusement.

Like they had already won.

Lucian smirked.

"Fine," he said, "We accept."..